All you need to know about adding a raised bed to your garden
Adding a raised bed to your garden is a popular and effective way to grow plants in a contained, elevated space. It offers many benefits including improved soil quality, better drainage, and easier access to plants.
Advantages of Raised Bed Gardening
Raised beds offer a better growing environment for plants than traditional gardening methods. The soil in a raised bed can be specifically tailored to the plants being grown, with the addition of nutrients, compost, and other organic matter. This means that plants grown in raised beds are often healthier and more productive than those grown in traditional garden beds.
They are built above ground level, which means that water can drain more easily than it can in traditional garden beds. This is particularly important for areas with heavy rainfall or poor drainage, as it prevents plants from becoming waterlogged and encourages healthy root growth.
These beds are usually built at a height that is comfortable for most people to work at, which means that gardening tasks such as planting, weeding, and harvesting are much easier and less strenuous than they would be in a traditional garden bed. This is especially beneficial for people with mobility issues.
Raised beds can be covered with netting or other protective materials to keep pests such as rabbits, slugs, and snails out of the garden. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides, which can be harmful to both plants and the environment.
Setting up a Raised Bed
Select a spot in your yard that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day and is relatively level. Think about what plants you are going to add and see how much sunlight they require.
The size of your raised bed will depend on the amount of space you have available and how many plants you want to grow. A typical size for a raised bed is 4 feet by 8 feet. When buying soil for your raised bed use our handy calculator so you know the correct amount of topsoil to buy.
Decide whether you are going to buy a premade raised bed or build one yourself. Once you have your raised bed in place, make sure to line the bottom of the raised bed with landscape fabric to prevent weeds from growing up through the soil.
Fill the raised bed with your Growpro topsoil and any additionals, such as compost or peat moss and mix all together thoroughly. Once your raised bed is filled with soil, you can begin planting, make sure to follow the planting instructions for each type of plant.
Tips for Maintaining your Raised Bed
Raised beds can dry out more quickly than traditional garden beds, so make sure to water your plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
Adding a layer of organic mulch to the soil can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weeds. To prevent soil-borne diseases and pests, rotate your plants every year.
Organic fertilizers, such as compost or fish emulsion, can help keep your plants healthy and productive.Raised beds are not immune to weeds, so make sure to pull them out regularly to prevent them from competing with your plants for nutrients and water.
Now you know everything you need, order you topsoil, compost and mulch and you will have your raised bed blooming in no time!
